Wedding planning can be an incredibly stressful season in a couple’s life. From dresses and decor to entertainment and catering, there are many facets of your upcoming big day that must be put in place months ahead of time.
If you’re looking to reduce wedding-related stress so you can actually enjoy your engagement, we’ve got you covered. Let’s look at a few ways you can dial down the drama in the days leading up to your wedding.
1. Pick your battles carefully
When it comes to wedding planning, there are many moving parts–and many opportunities for conflict. Even though it may be easy to fall into disagreements or drama over wedding details (no matter who you’re disagreeing with), pick your battles carefully.
When you find yourself at odds with your mom, fiance, mother-in-law, or other loved one, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I really care about this?
- How much would it matter if I compromised on this detail?
- Will this have a lasting impact on my wedding? My marriage?
- Will this matter in a year?
2. Put things in perspective
If you’re experiencing conflict over wedding details, take a step back and put things in perspective. Perspective helps us choose our battles wisely, and it gives us enough space to have empathy for others in the process.
Perhaps your grandmother insists on having you wear her mother’s string of pearls down the aisle, or maybe your fiance wants to incorporate non-traditional music in the ceremony. Before you push back, take a moment to understand–from their perspective–why this is so important to them.
3. Give where you can
Consider the factors in your wedding planning that mean the most to you, and then consider in which areas you can give a little. Letting go of details that aren’t earth-shatteringly important to you can help alleviate wedding-related stress. It doesn’t hurt to give a little where you can–especially during such a hectic season.
4. Let friends and family help you
If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by juggling all the wedding details, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask trusted, low-drama friends and family members to help you pull everything together. Having a supportive, helpful team behind you can make all the difference between being a burned-out bride and a blushing one!
5. Find humor at every opportunity
Humor is the best stress reducer. If you find yourselves feeling tense or overwhelmed, look for something to laugh about. You can even spin loved ones’ difficult behavior into humor to alleviate the stress that surrounds it.
6. Take a break from planning once in a while
Even though there’s a lot to take care of when you’re planning your wedding, sometimes you need to take a break. Step back, take a breather, and put all wedding-related conversations on hold once in a while. That way, when you come back to it, you’ll feel energized and ready to tackle the next items on your list.
7. Enjoy this season together
The most important part of your engagement, your wedding, and your marriage is the two of you. Ultimately, the secret to stress-free wedding planning is to enjoy spending time with one another through each step of the process. Focus on making memories together and savor this special time in your relationship as you plan your life together.
Planning your wedding should be a fun and memorable time for you both. Spend this season enjoying each other’s company, rather than stressing about your plans.
Are you planning your wedding right now? How do you plan to make it an enjoyable, stress-free season? Let us know in the comments!
